A review on the occurrence and influence of biodegradable microplastics in soil ecosystems: Are biodegradable plastics substitute or threat?

Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made

Geyer, R., Jambeck, J. R., & Law, K. L. (2017) · Science Advances · doi:10.1126/sciadv.1700782 · Cited by 18,606

Microplastics in Freshwater and Terrestrial Environments: Evaluating the Current Understanding to Identify the Knowledge Gaps and Future Research Priorities

Horton, A. A., Walton, A., Spurgeon, D. J., Lahive, E., & Svendsen, C. (2017) · Science of The Total Environment · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.01.190 · Cited by 3,756

Soil macroaggregate turnover and microaggregate formation: a mechanism for C sequestration under no-tillage agriculture

Six, J., Elliott, E. T., & Paustian, K. (2000) · Soil Biology and Biochemistry · doi:10.1016/s0038-0717(00)00179-6 · Cited by 3,397

Biological degradation of plastics: A comprehensive review

Shah, A. A., Hasan, F., Hameed, A., & Ahmed, S. (2008) · Biotechnology Advances · doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2007.12.005 · Cited by 2,765

Environmental exposure to microplastics: An overview on possible human health effects

Prata, J. C., da Costa, J. P., Lopes, I., Duarte, A. C., & Rocha-Santos, T. (2020) · Science of The Total Environment · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134455 · Cited by 2,690

Microplastics Can Change Soil Properties and Affect Plant Performance

Machado, A. A. D. S., Lau, C. W., Kloas, W., Bergmann, J., Bachelier, J. B., Faltin, E., Becker, R., Görlich, A. S., & Rillig, M. C. (2019) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/acs.est.9b01339 · Cited by 2,225

Impacts of Microplastics on the Soil Biophysical Environment

Machado, A. A. D. S., Lau, C. W., Till, J., Kloas, W., Lehmann, A., Becker, R., & Rillig, M. C. (2018) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/acs.est.8b02212 · Cited by 1,955

Microplastic in Terrestrial Ecosystems and the Soil?

Rillig, M. C. (2012) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es302011r · Cited by 1,619

Effects of Microplastics in Soil Ecosystems: Above and Below Ground

Boots, B., Russell, C. W., & Green, D. S. (2019) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/acs.est.9b03304 · Cited by 1,537

Effective uptake of submicrometre plastics by crop plants via a crack-entry mode

Li, L., Luo, Y., Li, R., Zhou, Q., Peijnenburg, W. J. G. M., Yin, N., Yang, J., Tu, C., & Zhang, Y. (2020) · Nature Sustainability · doi:10.1038/s41893-020-0567-9 · Cited by 1,479

The Size-Variations of Microplastics Alter Plant N Uptake by Regulating Soil Gross Nitrogen Transformation RatesPreprint

Dan, X., He, M., Wen, Y., Meng, L., Huang, M., Chen, S., Zhu, Q., Wu, Y., Tang, S., Elrys, A. S., et al. (2024) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.5027061

Comprehensive Study on Microplastic Release Behavior and Environmental Accumulation During Poly(Butylene Succinate) Degradation Via Enzymatic Hydrolysis and Uv AgingPreprint

Cui, P., Jiamin, W., Mao, L., Gao, Y., Li, S. L., Liu, Y., Mao, H., Qiu, M., Zou, W., & Gao, X. (2024) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.5043516

From Biodegradation to Biohazard: Polylactic Acid Microplastics Induced Rice Growth Inhibition in Terrestrial EcosystemsPreprint

Lin, B., Fan, Q.-F., Liu, F., Wang, L., Wei, C., Liu, B., Zhao, J., Zuo, L., & Xie, Y. (2025) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.5257545

Degradable plastic of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-CaCO3 reduced the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in soil

Zhang, X., Feng, Y., Shi, X., Zhang, Y., & Wang, W. (2025) · Environmental Monitoring and Assessment · doi:10.1007/s10661-025-14247-4

Breakdown of biodegradable polymer bags in soil under different management

Fileš, M., Dragičević, P., Bielen, A., Ludaš, A., Ražić, S. E., & Hudina, S. (2025) · Journal of Soils and Sediments · doi:10.1007/s11368-025-04078-8

Enhanced compatibilization of waste commingled plastics for high-quality cultivation substrate fabrication through biodegradable ingredients modulation

Han, S.-L., Zhang, C.-C., Liu, Z., Zhang, F.-S., & Wang, X. R. (2025) · Journal of environmental chemical engineering · doi:10.1016/j.jece.2025.117974

Enzymatic Alchemy: navigating the cutting edge of enzymatic plastic breakdown

Kumari, M., Mehadia, P. K., Achole, M., Phand, P., & Bajaj, P. (2025) · Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy · doi:10.1007/s43538-025-00562-4

Influence of Polyethylene Terephthalate and Polystyrene Microplastics on Microbial Dynamics in Rice Straw Composting

Kushwaha, J., & Dhoble, A. S. (2025) · Environmental Processes · doi:10.1007/s40710-025-00798-8

Ecotoxicity of micro (nano)plastics in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems

Schiavo, S., & Manzo, S. (2025) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-24782-8.00001-7

Machine learning aided meta-analysis of the impacts of non-biodegradable and biodegradable microplastics on soil microbial communities

Gong, W., Wen, Z., Liang, G., Bu, Q., Liu, X., Lu, A., & Geng, D. (2026) · Agriculture Communications · doi:10.1016/j.agrcom.2026.100124

Integrated LCA and MCDM analysis for process optimization in plastic recycling: a real world case based

Balbudhe, S. S., Thakre, C., Bagade, S., Pardeshi, S., Emami, N., Haque, N., Khan, D., & Dhodapkar, R. (2026) · Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management · doi:10.1007/s10163-025-02450-x

Sea buckthorn pomace - enhanced SPI bio-composite films: Microstructure, thermal stability, barrier properties, and their applications in meat preservation

Li, Y., Han, J., & Li, J. (2026) · Arabian Journal of Chemistry · doi:10.25259/ajc_685_2025

Physiological and phytochemical responses of broccoli sprouts to micro/nanoplastics, elevated CO2 and heat stress under a predictive modeling framework

Illanes, M., Toro, M. T., Noriega, F., Schoebitz, M., Fustos-Toribio, R., Nelson Zapata, S. M., Moreno, D. A., & López-Belchí, M. D. (2026) · Journal of Agriculture and Food Research · doi:10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102724

Biodegradable microplastics in soil ecosystem: effects on soil properties, plant, and animal health

Umasankar, U., & Sabumon, P. C. (2026) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-41630-9.00003-3

High‐Performance and Easy Processable Poly(Ethylene Oxalate) Synthesized via in Situ Copolymerization

Zhang, B., Wang, S., Li, T., Huang, J., Zhang, X., Wang, Y., Xia, B., Zhang, H., Wang, S., & 东为富 (2026) · Polymer Engineering and Science · doi:10.1002/pen.70553

Unpacking the Paradox: Biodegradable Plastics as a Double-Edged Sword in Environmental Pollution

Yadav, S., Kumar, A., Selvaraj, M., Assiri, M. A., Gotekar, S., & Kataria, N. (2026) · Water Air & Soil Pollution · doi:10.1007/s11270-026-09538-6

Surface acidity of photochemically aged biodegradable microplastics: Implications for Pb(II) surface complexation

Lin, Z.-Q., Wisedsri, N., & Lin, J.-Y. (2026) · Colloids and Surfaces A Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects · doi:10.1016/j.colsurfa.2026.140804

Differential responses of rare and abundant taxa in the plastisphere of biodegradable and non-biodegradable microplastics in soil

Li, K., Zhang, G., Bai, X., Cai, J., & Huang, Y. (2026) · Journal of Hazardous Materials · doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.142374

Advancements in polylactic acid biodegradation: Microbial, enzymatic, and ai-driven approaches for sustainable plastic waste management

Wang, Y., Tian, R., Chen, Z., Zhan, E., Zhang, L., & Qiao, J. (2026) · Journal of environmental chemical engineering · doi:10.1016/j.jece.2026.123252

New insights into effect of PBAT microplastics on latosol microbial metabolic functions

LIU, Y. F., Liu, H., Zhang, W., Ning, Z., Gao, W., Fan, C., Wu, X. N., Li, Q., & Chen, M. (2026) · Journal of Hazardous Materials · doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.142549

Impact of Polyethylene and Polylactic Acid Microplastics on Seed Germination and Seedling Development of Trifolium repens

Du, J., Wang, X., Li, J., Yang, Y., Gao, Y., & Wang, P. (2026) · Polish Journal of Environmental Studies · doi:10.15244/pjoes/218654

Distinct riverine plastispheres and microplastic-specific community complexity in the near-bottom benthic habitat under natural hydrological conditions

Cao, Y., Chen, S., Zhao, S., Liu, B. Q., Yuan, T., Zuo, J., & Jong, M. (2026) · Journal of Hazardous Materials · doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.142759

PFAS and Microplastics: Are Biodegradable Microplastics Less Harmful to the Environment?

Gaaied, S., Zhang, L., Bertuzzi, T., Lamastra, L., Becchi, P. P., Grimaldi, M., Nottiani, D. G., Milanese, D., Sciancalepore, C., & Suciu, N. (2026) · Molecules · doi:10.3390/molecules31142416 · Cited by 1

Comparing the effects of conventional and biodegradable plastic mulch particles and their leachates on Chironomus riparius

Rasmussen, S. B., Vijver, M. G., Barmentlo, S. H., & Bosker, T. (2026) · Environmental Pollution · doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2026.128819

Infiltrating Biodegradable Microplastics in Zebrafish Blood: From Size Barrier Penetration to Risk

Yang, L., & Wang, W. (2026) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/acs.est.5c18381

Polyhydroxyalkanoate-based BB bullets as alternatives to ABS bullets based on muzzle velocity, penetrating power, coloring effect, and microbial degradability

Han, Y. S., Lee, S. H., Jeong, Y., Kim, T. Y., Doh, G., Park, S. H., Shin, G. H., Park, J., Kim, H. T., Jeon, J.-M., et al. (2026) · International Journal of Biological Macromolecules · doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.153891

Recent advances in designing high-performance and enzymatically degradable plastics

Liu, J., Zhou, X., Uyama, H., & Takashima, Y. (2026) · Chemical Science · doi:10.1039/d6sc04609f

Study on the Degradation of Polylactic Acid Microplastics by Mn3O4‑C3N4 Catalytic Ozonation

李, 浩. (2026) · Advances in Environmental Protection · doi:10.12677/aep.2026.168144

Soil Type Governs the Degradation Dynamics and Microbial Assimilation of Biodegradable Plastic Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate

Zhang, X., Yuan, J., Wang, L., Chen, J., Zhang, L., Ding, T., Zheng, G., Li, J., & Zeng, E. Y. (2026) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/acs.est.6c11170

Metagenomic analysis of florfenicol and microplastics effects on microbial function and antibiotic resistome in rice seedling rhizosphere soil

Pan, M., Shen, L., Feng, J., Li, Z., Wu, L., Wu, R., ShaoTing, D. U., & Liu, H. (2026) · Journal of Hazardous Materials · doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.143454

Beyond CO₂ mineralization: non-isotopic carbon partitioning of PBS and PBS/orange peel biocomposites during mesophilic composting with standard and bioaugmented inoculation

Bellon, J., Bacoup, F., & Gattin, R. (2026) · Polymer Degradation and Stability · doi:10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.112450

Microplastic formation during degradation: bioplastics vs conventional plastics

Oliver, I., Fullana, A., & Conesa, J. A. (2026) · Environmental Science and Pollution Research · doi:10.1007/s11356-026-38204-x

Surface chemistry of talc and nanotalc enables interface-mediated hydrolytic degradation of poly(L-lactide)

Li, Y., Deng, D.-W., Zhang, Z.-X., Chen, G., Zhang, N.-N., Hussaın, I., Liu, K., & Yang, Y. (2026) · Polymer Degradation and Stability · doi:10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.112465

Biodegradation and metabolic assimilation of poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) by Gordonia sp. CN2K

Swamy, T. M., Nagarathna, S. V., Reddy, P. V., & Nayak, A. S. (2026) · Biodegradation · doi:10.1007/s10532-026-10372-0

Impact of biodegradable and conventional microplastics on Pb behavior in ryegrass rhizosphere

Yan, X., Wang, G., Zhou, W., Lei, Y., Chen, H., Wang, G., Xu, W., Xiao, R., & Li, T. (2026) · Journal of environmental chemical engineering · doi:10.1016/j.jece.2026.125233

Investigating the long-term impacts of PS and PLA microplastics on wastewater treatment performance and microbial mechanisms in aerobic granular sludge system

Yang, Y., Peng, T., Gong, B., Gan, Y., Fang, F., & Liu, Z. (2026) · Process Safety and Environmental Protection · doi:10.1016/j.psep.2026.109659

Impacts of Microplastics on Soil Characteristics, Microbial Diversity and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Review

Liu, Y., De, Y., Zhang, W., Chengyu, W., Shen, H., & Yu, Y. (2026) · Microorganisms · doi:10.3390/microorganisms14102221

Microplastic contamination in agricultural systems: impacts on plant productivity, economic losses, and supply chain resilience

Xu, T. (2026) · Frontiers in Plant Science · doi:10.3389/fpls.2026.1956066

Polylactic acid nanoplastics induced pyroptosis in mice testes by activating TRPM2 through mitochondrial damage

Zhou, Y., Yan, Z., Guo, J., Feng, X., & Xu, H. (2026) · Chemico-Biological Interactions · doi:10.1016/j.cbi.2026.112344

Context-dependent effects of microplastics on soil available phosphorus: An AP-centered multilevel meta-analysis

Li, J., Zhang, Y., Sun, J., Shan, X., Ding, L., Qiu, X., Zhang, B., Li, X., Liang, X., & XueTao, G. (2026) · Journal of Hazardous Materials · doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.143959

Monitoring the Environmental Degradation of Biodegradable Mulch Films Using Py-GC-MS and a Multitechnique Analytical Approach

Falco, F. D., Nacci, T., Burgevin, F., Courtene‐Jones, W., Fullarton, A., Coppock, R., Degano, I., Modugno, F., & Thompson, R. C. (2026) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/acs.est.6c11149

Source, Environmental Behavior and Ecological Impact of Biodegradable Microplastics in Soil Ecosystems: A Review

Zhang, X., Wu, D., Jiang, X., Xu, J., & Liu, J. (2024) · Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology · doi:10.1007/s44169-023-00057-7 · Cited by 21

Unravelling the ecological ramifications of biodegradable microplastics in soil environment: A systematic review

Umasankar, U., & Chacko, S. P. (2025) · Emerging contaminants · doi:10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100504 · Cited by 5

A progress update on the biological effects of biodegradable microplastics on soil and ocean environment: A perfect substitute or new threat?

Wang, D., Xiong, F., Wu, L., Liu, Z., Xu, K., Huang, J., Liu, J., Ding, Q., Zhang, J., Pu, Y., et al. (2024) · Environmental Research · doi:10.1016/j.envres.2024.118960 · Cited by 17

A review of biodegradable plastics to biodegradable microplastics: Another ecological threat to soil environments?

Qin, M. H., Chen, C., Song, B., Shen, M., Cao, W., Yang, H., Zeng, G., & Gong, J. (2021) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127816 · Cited by 477

A review of the occurrence and degradation of biodegradable microplastics in soil environments

Feng, S., Wang, H., Wang, Y., & Cheng, Q. (2023) · The Science of The Total Environment · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166855 · Cited by 54